Compare 4Change Energy Rates
4Change Energy has 10 electricity plans with rates starting at just 18.4 ¢/kwh with contract lengths of 12, and 24 months.
According to 4Change Energy customer reviews, the best part about 4Change Energy is 'Order Experience' and the worst part is 'Likely to Recommend'.
4Change Energy achieved a rating of 3.9 out of 5 by Texas Electricity Ratings, earning them a Silver Tier Award.
Electricity Plan Reviews
Plan Comparison
One Rate 24
- Our Rating: 4 / 5 stars
- Our Review: This plan has some good things going for it, honestly. For starters, it includes the transmission fees in the actual kWh rate, so folks won't be shocked when there's an extra $60 a month in fees they didn't expect because it's not included in the rate. The Energy Charge is pretty low, honestly. This will make your bills super transparent and easy to predict. It does have a monthly recurring charge but it's pretty low compared to some of the more egregious charges we see from some providers. Also, the cancellation fee isn't a flat fee, it's just $20 for every month remaining on the contract. So you only get penalized for the party of the contract you didn't fulfill.
- Pros: A good thing about this plan is it's a flat rate across all usage thresholds of 500, 1000, and 2000, and the rate includes all transmission fees, which means predicting your bill each month should be super easy and consistent.
- Cons: Unfortunately there are cheaper plans out there. Then again, it's not the most expensive either.
- Plan Type: Fixed Rate
- Term: 24 Months
One Rate 12
- Our Rating: 4 / 5 stars
- Our Review: This plan is actually really interesting. For starters, it includes the transmission fees in the actual kWh rate, so folks won't be shocked when there's an extra $60 a month in fees they didn't expect because it's not included in the rate. The Energy Charge is pretty low, honestly. This will make your bills super transparent and easy to predict. It does have a monthly recurring charge but it's pretty low compared to some of the more egregious charges we see from some providers. Also, the cancellation fee isn't a flat fee, it's just $20 for every month remaining on the contract. Usually thats reserved for 24 or 36 month plans.
- Pros: The good news about this plan is it's a flat rate across all usage thresholds of 500, 1000, and 2000, and the rate includes all transmission fees, which means predicting your bill each month should be super easy and consistent.
- Cons: The bad news is it's not the cheapest rate out there, but it's hardly the most expensive either.
- Plan Type: Fixed Rate
- Term: 12 Months
Smart Thermostat 24
- Our Rating: 3 / 5 stars
- Our Review: 4 Change Energy's Smart 24 Thermostat is a two year, or 24 month, electricity plan that comes with a "free" smart thermostat. Of course, like most plans with anything "Free" associated, it means that other aspects of the plan are more expensive than the market to make up for the cost of whatever is "free," in this case, the Honeywell Smart Thermostat. The Energy Charge is high, which means rates are right, but this plan also has a $50 bill credit that kicks in after a customer uses 1,000 kWh of usage in a month. That actually means for small or medium home users this ends up being a pretty good deal with the thermostat. Like many of 4Change's plans, this one also has a high base monthly charge at $9.95, and the cancellation fee is $20 per month left on the contract.
- Pros: Free Thermostat and a Bill Credit
- Cons: High Energy Charge, High Monthly Recurring Charge
- Plan Type: Bill Credit
- Term: 24 Months
Maxx Saver Select 24
- Our Rating: 2 / 5 stars
- Our Review: 4Change's Maxx Saver Select 24 plan is one of many bill credit plans that have limited utility. The $100 bill credit kicks in at a usage level of 1k, so for anyone using less than that each month, like an apartment dweller, the plan rate is horribly high. If they use over a 1k, the bill credit kicks in and the rate becomes pretty competitive. But if you use much more over 1k, the the very high energy charge of the plan takes over and that bill credit becomes less and less effective.
- Pros: This plan has a huge bill $100 credit at 1k kWh of usage
- Cons: If you use under 1k or well over 2k, the bill credit basically doesn't help you
- Plan Type: Bill Credit
- Term: 24 Months
Power Maxx Saver 24
- Our Rating: 2 / 5 stars
- Our Review: 4Change's Power Max Saver 24 plan is one of many bill credit plans that have limited utility. The $100 bill credit kicks in at a usage level of 2k, so for anyone using less than that each month, like an apartment dweller or someone in a medium size house with no pool, the plan rate is high. If they have a big house and consistently use loads of power, the rate becomes competitive. But anything less than the biggest energy consumers will probably think this plan is too expensive.
- Pros: This plan has a huge bill $100 credit at 2k kWh of usage.
- Cons: If you use under 2k, the bill credit doesn't help you, and the plan not a good choice.
- Plan Type: Bill Credit
- Term: 24 Months
Maxx Saver Select 12
- Our Rating: 1 / 5 stars
- Our Review: 4Change's Maxx Saver Select 12 plan is one of many bill credit plans that have limited utility. The $100 bill credit kicks in at a usage level of 1k, so for anyone using less than that each month, like an apartment dweller, the plan rate is horribly high. If they use over a 1k, the bill credit kicks in and the rate becomes pretty competitive. But if you use much more over 1k, the the very high energy charge of the plan takes over and that bill credit becomes less and less effective.
- Pros: This plan has a huge bill $100 credit at 1k kWh of usage.
- Cons: If you use under 1k or well over 2k, the bill credit basically doesn't help you.
- Plan Type: Bill Credit
- Term: 12 Months
Cash Money 12
- Our Rating: 1 / 5 stars
- Our Review: 4Change's Cash Money 12 plan seems to be referencing the Bill Credit that customers recieve at the 1,000 kWh usage threshold. This makes a pretty good dent into the energy charge for customers. So if you have a house and consistently use over 1k kWh, this plan becomes pretty good. The downside is that the plan has a $9.95 monthly recurring charge, which is high, and non-negotiable. Cancellation fee is $20 per month remaining on the customer's contract.
- Pros: Bill credit at low usage
- Cons: High Monthly Recurring Charge
- Plan Type: Bill Credit
- Term: 12 Months
Power Maxx Saver 12
- Our Rating: 1 / 5 stars
- Our Review: 4Change's Power Max Saver 12 plan is one of many bill credit plans that have limited utility. The $100 bill credit kicks in at a usage level of 2k, so for anyone using less than that each month, like an apartment dweller or someone in a medium size house without a pool, the plan rate is high. If they have a big house and consistently use a lot of power, the rate becomes competitive. But anything less than the biggest energy consumers will probably think this plan is too expensive.
- Pros: This plan has a huge bill $100 credit at 2k kWh of usage.
- Cons: If you use under 2k, the bill credit doesn't help you, and the plan is a bad fit.
- Plan Type: Bill Credit
- Term: 12 Months
Plan Features
One size does NOT fit all. You have a lot of choices of plan types here in Texas. We've grouped up the plans from 4Change Energy so you can shop for just the kinds of features you want.
Fixed Rates
These are the most common types of plans and provide the least surprises on your bills. When you use more, you'll pay more per month, and when you use less, you'll pay less per month. However, your average cost per kWh will likely remain fairly stable compared to bill credit plans.
4Change Energy does not have any plans in our category here, so below you will find some alternatives which we have reviewed.
| Provider | Plan name | Term | Rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champion Energy Services | Champ Saver-24 | 24 | 15.5¢ - 17.1¢ |
| Amigo Energy | Simple Choice - 36 | 36 | 17.8¢ - 21.3¢ |
| Amigo Energy | Simple Choice - 12 | 12 | 18.2¢ - 21.7¢ |
Bill Credit
These plans will usually give a credit on your bill when your usage falls within certain ranges. If you use more or less, your rate per kWh could be significantly higher than the rate you saw when you signed up. Be sure to read the EFL carefully and understand your usage before ordering these kinds of plans. You can find out more in our blog article about bill credit electricity plans.
| Plan name | Term | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Cash Money 12 | 12 | 16.6¢ - 25.4¢ |
| Smart Thermostat 24 | 24 | 16.6¢ - 25.9¢ |
| Maxx Saver Select 24 | 24 | 12.8¢ - 24.0¢ |
| Maxx Saver Select 12 | 12 | 12.8¢ - 24.0¢ |
| Power Maxx Saver 24 | 24 | 14.9¢ - 23.1¢ |
| Power Maxx Saver 12 | 12 | 14.9¢ - 23.1¢ |
Even Billing Plans
These plans will usually charge a fixed dollar amount on your bill when your usage falls within certain ranges or tiers. If you use more (or less) than the tier allows, your bill will jump up or down by a certain dollar amount. Be sure to read the EFL carefully and understand your usage before ordering these kinds of plans. These plans can be a good choice for someone who wants their bill to be the same exact amount each month.
Free Energy
These plans will cost much less but only during certain parts of the day or week. If you can adjust your usage to fall into the lower-cost periods, these can be a good choice. If you don't want to put off running appliances until certain parts of the day, these kinds of plans are not for you.
4Change Energy does not currently have any Free Energy offers available. Some Free Energy alternatives to consider are listed below.
| Provider | Plan name | Term | Rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amigo Energy | Weekends Free Plan - 12 | 12 | 19.2¢ - 37.4¢ |
| Amigo Energy | 100% Green Nights Free Plan - 36 | 36 | 18.2¢ - 40.3¢ |
| Amigo Energy | Weekends Free Plan - 24 | 24 | 18.2¢ - 35.9¢ |
Green Energy
Most providers offer some kind of green or renewable energy plan. These plans can help offset your carbon footprint which helps us all!
4Change Energy does not currently have any Green Energy offers available. Some Green Energy alternatives to consider are listed below.
| Provider | Plan name | Term | Rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amigo Energy | 100% Green Nights Free Plan - 36 | 36 | 18.2¢ - 40.3¢ |
| Chariot Energy | Solarize 24 | 24 | 16.5¢ - 18.1¢ |
| Chariot Energy | Solarize 36 | 36 | 16.3¢ - 17.9¢ |
Solar Buyback
If you have rooftop solar, you can benefit from a specific solar-buyback program, where the retailer monitors the amount of electricity your panels are feeding to the grid and pays you for each kWh you provide.
EV Charging
EVs are great, and because the charging cycles often happen during non-peak-load hours, some providers give a much lower rate for usage during those times. Remember, you'll have to coordinate your charging schedule to take advantage of these low rates.
4Change Energy does not currently have any EV Charging offers available. Some EV Charging alternatives to consider are listed below.
| Provider | Plan name | Term | Rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champion Energy Services | Free Weekends-24 | 24 | 14.3¢ - 16.4¢ |
| Champion Energy Services | EV Saver-12 | 12 | 11.2¢ - 16.1¢ |
| Gexa Energy | Gexa EV Saver 24 | 24 | 12.6¢ - 21.7¢ |
No Deposit
For credit-challenged consumers who don't want to put down a deposit to begin service, a prepaid (no deposit) plan can make a lot of sense. Instead of paying for your energy after you've used it, you pay before you use it. To start service, you'll need to load somewhere between $25 to $75 on your account. You'll typically pay more per kWh, but these plans usually have helpful apps and notices to help you manage your electricity usage and keep your costs under control.
4Change Energy does not have any plans in our category here, so below you will find some alternatives which we have reviewed.
| Provider | Plan name | Term | Rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payless Power | 12 Month - Prepaid | 12 | 17.0¢ - 19.1¢ |
| Payless Power | 6 Month - Prepaid | 6 | 17.6¢ - 19.7¢ |
Compare
Cheapest Rate
Sometimes the simplest approach is the best. Here is the lowest rate available from 4Change Energy:
| Dallas | Houston | Abilene | Corpus | Midland | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate @500kwh | 23.2¢ | 22.8¢ | 24.1¢ | 24.0¢ | 24.6¢ |
| Rate @1000kwh | 12.8¢ | 12.4¢ | 13.6¢ | 13.5¢ | 13.8¢ |
| Rate @2000kwh | 17.5¢ | 17.1¢ | 18.4¢ | 18.2¢ | 18.4¢ |
| Monthly Recurring Charge | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Early Termination Fee | 20x months remaining | 20x months remaining | 20x months remaining | 20x months remaining | 20x months remaining |
| Electricity Facts Label | EFL | EFL | EFL | EFL | EFL |
| Your Rights as a Customer | YRAAC | YRAAC | YRAAC | YRAAC | YRAAC |
| Terms of Service | TOS | TOS | TOS | TOS | TOS |
Cheapest Houston Rates
Here are the cheapest Houston rates from 4Change Energy
| Plan | Term | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Maxx Saver Select 24 | 24/months | 12.4¢/kWh |
| Maxx Saver Select 12 | 12/months | 12.4¢/kWh |
| Cash Money 12 | 12/months | 16.4¢/kWh |
| Smart Thermostat 24 | 24/months | 16.6¢/kWh |
| One Rate 24 | 24/months | 18.5¢/kWh |
| One Rate 12 | 12/months | 19.0¢/kWh |
| Power Maxx Saver 24 | 24/months | 20.2¢/kWh |
| Power Maxx Saver 12 | 12/months | 20.2¢/kWh |
Cheapest Dallas Rates
Here are the cheapest Dallas rates from 4Change Energy
| Plan | Term | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Maxx Saver Select 24 | 24/months | 12.8¢/kWh |
| Maxx Saver Select 12 | 12/months | 12.8¢/kWh |
| Cash Money 12 | 12/months | 16.6¢/kWh |
| Smart Thermostat 24 | 24/months | 16.6¢/kWh |
| One Rate 24 | 24/months | 18.1¢/kWh |
| One Rate 12 | 12/months | 18.7¢/kWh |
| Power Maxx Saver 24 | 24/months | 20.3¢/kWh |
| Power Maxx Saver 12 | 12/months | 20.3¢/kWh |
Other Cities
We have electricity rates by city if you are not in the Houston or Dallas area.
Highest Rated Plans
These plans represent solid choices for many energy consumers. We evaluate multiple criteria and determine which plans are likely to give a good customer experience for most customers.
Contract Term
Month To Month
Also known as no-contract plans, month-to-month plans don't require any long term commitment from you.
Typically this type of plan will come with a higher rate that can vary from one month to the next, but in return you'll not be charged an early termination fee if you cancel service.
4Change Energy does not currently have any plans with a term in this range. Below are some alternative providers who do.
| Provider | Plan name | Term | Rates |
|---|
3-8 Months
These plans can make a good choice for a short-term renter or student who expects to move for sure.
4Change Energy does not currently have any plans with a term in this range. Below are some alternative providers who do.
| Provider | Plan name | Term | Rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payless Power | 6 Month - Prepaid | 6 | 17.6¢ - 19.7¢ |
| Rhythm | Simply Select 6 | 6 | 15.8¢ - 19.7¢ |
| APG&E | True Classic 6 | 6 | 15.6¢ - 19.7¢ |
9-18 Months
These can be good choices for renters on one to two year leases, or homeowners who don't want to lock in a rate for too long.
| Plan name | Term | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| One Rate 12 | 12 | 18.0¢ - 21.5¢ |
| Maxx Saver Select 12 | 12 | 12.8¢ - 24.0¢ |
| Power Maxx Saver 12 | 12 | 12.8¢ - 24.0¢ |
| Cash Money 12 | 12 | 12.8¢ - 25.4¢ |
| Charitable Saver 12 | 12 | 12.8¢ - 25.4¢ |
19-36 Months
These plans often come with lower rates but will lock you into one provider for a longer time. If you're a homeowner and plan to stay put, this can be a good choice.
| Plan name | Term | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Maxx Saver Select 24 | 24 | 12.8¢ - 24.0¢ |
| One Rate 24 | 24 | 12.8¢ - 24.0¢ |
| Power Maxx Saver 24 | 24 | 12.8¢ - 24.0¢ |
| Smart Thermostat 24 | 24 | 12.8¢ - 25.9¢ |
| Charitable Saver 24 | 24 | 12.8¢ - 25.9¢ |
Buyer's Guides
Expert advice and information to help you evalute which 4Change Energy option is best for you
Provider Comparison
| 4Change Energy | TXU Energy | Reliant | Gexa Energy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company Rating | 3.9/5 | 3.4/5 | 3.7/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Award | Silver Award | - | Bronze Award | Silver Award |
| Fixed Rate Plans | ||||
| Bill Credit Plans | ||||
| EV Charging Plans | ||||
| Green Energy Plans | ||||
| Good For Apartments | ||||
| Good For Average House | ||||
| Good For Large House |
Residential Electricity
For Apartments
Apartments typically use anywhere from 500-800 kWh per month. When apartment dwellers shop for electricity, they should focus on fixed-rate plans with low monthly recurring charges, and pay particular attention to the 500 kWh rate on the EFL. Also, most apartment consumers should match their contract term to their lease term so they don't get hit with early termination fees.
| Plan name | Term | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| One Rate 12 | 12 | 18.0¢ - 21.5¢ |
| One Rate 24 | 24 | 17.4¢ - 20.9¢ |
For Typical Homes
Most medium size houses use about 1100-1700 kWh per month. Consumers in this group should use the 1000 kWh rate on the EFL as a guide for the actual rate they will end up paying. Bill Credit plans can make sense for these users, as well as free energy plans if you can move about 30% of your electricity usage to the off-peak times. The monthly recurring charge is not as important as it does not contribute a significant portion of your monthly bill. 12-24 month plans usually make sense for people in typical houses.
| Plan name | Term | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| One Rate 12 | 12 | 18.0¢ - 21.5¢ |
| Cash Money 12 | 12 | 16.6¢ - 25.4¢ |
| Smart Thermostat 24 | 24 | 16.6¢ - 25.9¢ |
| Maxx Saver Select 24 | 24 | 12.8¢ - 24.0¢ |
| Maxx Saver Select 12 | 12 | 12.8¢ - 24.0¢ |
| One Rate 24 | 24 | 17.4¢ - 20.9¢ |
For Large Homes
Customers in large homes probably use 1800-3500 kWh per month, especially if you have a hot tub, pool, electric vehicle, multiple air conditioners, and the like. Focus on the 2000 kWh usage rates shown in the EFL. If you look at a bill credit plan, make sure the credit does not go away if your usage goes over certain thresholds. Generally, longer term plans of 24-36 months are best for large consumers to smooth out price volatility.
| Plan name | Term | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| One Rate 12 | 12 | 18.0¢ - 21.5¢ |
| Smart Thermostat 24 | 24 | 16.6¢ - 25.9¢ |
| One Rate 24 | 24 | 17.4¢ - 20.9¢ |
| Power Maxx Saver 24 | 24 | 14.9¢ - 23.1¢ |
| Power Maxx Saver 12 | 12 | 14.9¢ - 23.1¢ |
For Homeowners
Homeowners can benefit by choosing a longer term plan, say 24 to 36 months. This can help them lock in a steady rate over time.
| Plan name | Term | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| One Rate 24 | 24 | 17.4¢ - 20.9¢ |
| Smart Thermostat 24 | 24 | 16.6¢ - 25.9¢ |
| Maxx Saver Select 24 | 24 | 12.8¢ - 24.0¢ |
| Power Maxx Saver 24 | 24 | 14.9¢ - 23.1¢ |
For Renters
Renters should look for plans that fit their lease schedule - you don't want to try to get a good rate on a plan and then you move and are hit with an early termination fee.
| Plan name | Term | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| One Rate 12 | 12 | 18.0¢ - 21.5¢ |
Commercial Electricity
When shopping for commercial electricity, it matters how big you are. Typical retail establishments will normally get a stock rate, while larger users can get a customized rate based on their usage.
For Retail Shops
Examples: Light commercial users like professional offices, pizza parlors, hair salons, and other retail shops with bills less than $1,000 per month
You can visit our Commercial Electricity Rates Page and get real-time rates for your business.
After you place your order, an agent will contact you if they can offer a better rate or a custom quote.
For Light Industry
Examples: Laundromats, Warehouses, small manufacturing plants, large repair shops with bills between $1,000 and $5,000 per month
We recommend you call our Light Commercial Broker at 844-678-5598. You could qualify for a better rate than you would get as a smaller consumer.
For Heavy Industry
Examples: Factories, business campuses, foundries, server farms with bills over $5,000 per month.
You need an expert to help you get the best deal as a larger, heavier electricity consumer.
Call 844-678-5598 to talk to our Heavy Industrial Broker and get a low-priced, accurate, customized quote that takes into account your special electricity consumption needs.
Company Reviews
Our Rating
4Change Energy has earned a X out of Y rating from Texas Electricity Ratings. Here are the details on our evaluation:
Coming Soon - summary table of ratings details.
Customer Reviews
You can check out actual customer reviews and find out what real customers think about 4Change Energy.
Service
Customer Service
Phone Number
4Change Energy Customer Service: 888-364-9078
Chat
Testing Chat
Account Login
Testing Login
Bill Pay
Testing Bill Pay
Commercial Customers
Contact our dedicated commercial electricity agents at 844-678-5598 if you are considering 4Change Energy for your commercial or industrial electricity service.
How To
Place An Order
Switching to 4Change Energy is easy and only takes a few minutes. Click on the plan or click the orange 'Check Availability' button, and you can complete the order online in our secure cart.
To order by phone, contact 4Change Energy at 888-364-9078
Start Service
Credit Check
Generally, all providers in Texas will perform a soft credit check when you place your order to determine if they require a deposit to start service. This is a 'soft' credit check and does NOT count as a 'hard check' on your credit report and will not affect your credit score. Most providers require your social security number, and perhaps a birthdate to process your order. Some providers can use alternate forms of identification such as a drivers license.
Deposits
Deposit amounts vary by provider, typically running somewhere between $150 and $450. There are certain cases where the deposit requirement can be wiaved, but you will have to provide additional documentation. Once the deposit is waived or paid, your service will start. You will earn a small amount of interest on your deposit. After 12 months, if your payments have all been made on-time, the provider will usually credit your deposit to your account balance. If you have completed the contract and do not owe the provider an outstanding balance, they will refund your deposit by check.
Switching Providers
Switching your electricity supplier in Texas is really easy. You simply place an order online for the provider of your choice.
During the order process, you will be given the opportunity to choose a date for the switch to occur. Generally, you can switch on the next business day, or perhaps the current business day if it is before noon or so.
If you don't select a switch date, then the switch will occur at the convenience of the utility company, which will likely be within 3-5 days.
You do not need to contact your current supplier. All the arrangements will be handled by your new supplier. For more details, you can use our blog article on "Switching your electricity supplier".
Switch-Hold
A 'Switch Hold' on your meter means that the current supplier is preventing the meter from switching to another provider.
This is allowed by ERCOT so that people can't just run up a big bill with one provider, then switch to another provider and ditch the balance. Electric companies will typically lift the switch-hold automatically when the balance is paid.
Moving In
Starting service is not much harder than switching. If the address you are moving into has had electrical service, you'll simply place an online order and select a date you wish to begin service. Usually, you can start the next business day.
However, if there is an issue with the meter at your new address, or if the meter has not been installed, it may take several days to get a crew out to rectify the problem.
If you think there is a potential problem with your meter at the new address, you should contact the supplier you have signed up with. They can contact ERCOT and the utility company to verify what is needed in your specific case.
Transfer Service
If you move to another residence, you can generally transfer your existing plan to your new address.
Transferring service will help you avoid paying an early termination fee (ETF).
Simply contact your current provider and they can handle it over the phone. Sometimes, if you are moving to a different area of the state, your rate might change by a couple cents up or down. This is not the fault of the supplier, it's because in different areas of the state, the companies that handle the poles and wires charge different amounts based on local infrastructure costs.
Renew My Contract
If you are on a fixed length contract, the provider will contact you several weeks before the end of your term. Generally, they will present a few options for you to renew your contract.
If the offers that your exsiting provider has shown you are unsatisfactory, you can always switch to someone else. If you intend to do this, you should know your contract end date, and set your switch date to the new provider on or after that date, otherwise you could be charged an early termination fee (ETF). This could be as little as $20, or as high as $250 or even more, so you should select your switch date carefully.
Cancel Service
You can cancel your service with 4Change Energy by contacting them and requesting what they will call a 'move out'.
A 'move-out' means that 4Change Energy will inform ERCOT that they will no longer provide electricity for your meter. If the 'move-out' day comes, and you have not signed up with another provider, your electricity will get shut off.
If you cancel service before the end of your contract, you will likely be charged a cancellation fee.
Disconnect & Reconnect
A provider may disconnect your service for non-payment. They are required to give you notice. They are allowed to charge fees related to sending a disconnect notice, actually disconnecting your service, and reconnecting your service.
Report Outage
If your power is out, you should NOT contact 4Change Energy. Instead, you should contact the company which is responsible for maintaining the infrastructure, poles and wires to your home.
Houston
Contact Centerpoint EnergyDallas
Contact ONCOROther Cities
Coming Soon
Billing
Estimate My Usage
We've created quite a few articles to help you understand electrical usage.
- Is it cheaper to keep my thermostat at one temperature?
- 2000 sq foot home electricity usage
- Apartment energy usage
- TV electricity usage
- Refrigerator Usage
- A/C power usage
Understand Your Bill
Early Termination Fee (ETF)
If you switch away from 4Change Energy you will likely be charged an ETF (also known as a cancellation fee) unless you are on a month-to-month (no contract) plan.
These cancellation charges are allowed because 4Change Energy has probably purchased electricity on the wholesale market to cover your expected usage, and if you leave, they are stuck with excess power that they have already paid for.
Late Charges
If you don't pay your bill by the due date, the provider is allowed to impose a late fee on your account. The late fee is limited to a percentage of your outstanding balance.
kWh (Kilowatt-Hours)
A 'kWh' or 'kilowatt-hour' is a measure of electricity usage. One 'kWh' is equal to a 1000 watt load operating for 1 hour. For example, a hair-dryer uses about 1200 watts of energy. If you divide the watts by 1000, you get kilowatts, so our hair dryer is using 1.2 kilowatts when running. Multiply 1.2 kW X 1 hour = 1.2 kWh. If your per-kWh electriciy rate is 15 cents, then running your hair dryer for an hour costs about 15 X 1.2 = 18 cents.
Average Bill
Most customers in Texas use about 1050-1400 kWh of electricity per month. According to various sources, the average electricity rate in Texas is about 11 cents. This would make the average Texas electricity bill about $115 to $154 per month.
Of course, if you have a higher electrical load than normal you will use more energy, and thus your bills can easily be higher than that. High load items would be things like a swimming pool or electric heat in the winter.
Your home size will have an impact on your usage. A smaller 600 sqft apartment might use 500-600 kWh, while an expansive 3,000 sqft. home could easily use 2,200 to 3,000 kWh.
Average Rate
Your bill will likely show an 'average rate per kWh' or some variation of that. The average rate is the total of your bill (including all fees and taxes) divided by your kWh usage. Generally, your average rate per kWh will be slightly higher when you use less electricity, because there are monthly fixed fees that don't change, so when you use less, the average goes up a bit. Don't confuse 'average rate' with your 'energy charge', which is the amount you are being charged specifically for the electricity you use, and is separate from fixed monthly customer fees.
Bill Period or Cycle
The dates this bill covers. Your Texas utility company will read the meter at their discretion. This will not always be a month or 30 days. If you are on a plan that has "monthly" fees, that fee will appear on your bill, regardless of how many days were within the period.
Energy Rate vs. Average Rate
the 'Energy Rate' is the price in cents that you pay your electricity provider for the actual electricity that you consumed. The 'Average Rate' is the total you paid for electricity service (including all TDSP fees, bill credits, taxes, etc) divided by the number of kWhs you used that month.
ESI ID (Electric Service Identifier)
This is the unique identifier of the electricity meter for your address. If you have multiple meters (one for the house, one for the shed) you will have multiple ESI IDs. Each ESI ID will generally get it's own bill, unless your current provider offers some sort of combined billing.
TDSP Fees
These are fees charged by your utility, and are present regardless of which electricity provider you have chosen.Fees are charged from the utility and are passed on to the retail electricity provider
TDSP fees can be a fixed charged per bill, or a variable charge based on how much electricity you used during that period. There are a few providers that offer "bundled" rates, which include these fees in their Energy Charge. In bundled rates, your actual average rate will not change during the course of your contract (assuming the plan has no monthly charge).
Some of the TDSP fees you may be charged are:
- Customer Charge
- Distribution Cost Recovery Factor
- Distribution System Charge
- Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery Factor
- Metering Charge
- Nuclear Decommissioning Fee
- PUC Assessment
- System Restoration Charge
- Transition Charge (1-5)
- Transmission Cost Recovery Factor
- Transmission System Charge
The TDSP fees charged and their amounts will vary depending on which TDSP services your area. As of May 2018, Oncor has the lowest per-bill charge at $5.25, while AEP-North has the highest, at $10.53 per bill. TNMP has the lowest average usage charges, at around 3.3¢/kWh, and CenterPoint is the highest, around 4.1¢/kWh.
Electric companies generally have the same energy charge applied, no-matter which TDSP the plan is in. The difference in the TDSP fees are the reason the same plan can cost around a penny higher in CenterPoint vs TNMP.
FAQ
What do customers think about 4Change Energy?
- That depends on who you ask. There will always be someone who feels wronged by a company, no matter how good they actually are. The average 4Change Energy customer review is 3.4 / 5 stars. Keep in mind, consumers will go out of their way to complain far more often than they will to give praise.
About 4Change Energy
From its start in 2012, 4Change Energy set out to provide cheap electricity to its customers while giving back to their Texas communities. Headquartered in Dallas, the company contributes 4% of their profits on their customers' behalf to the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Heroes for Children and Feeding Texas. In 2016, the company came under the control of Vistra Energy and is now part of its Value Based Brands subsidiary.
Over the years, 4Change Energy has consistently won numerous customer trust and satisfaction awards. Most recently its high ratings for customer satisfaction with billing, payment and customer service got it named to the top ten in Escalent's 2020 and 2021 Texas REP Trusted Brand survey and in 2019 was rated the #2 Most Trusted Provider.
4Change Energy In The Community
4Change Energy was founded on the idea to do something that's good for your wallet and your neighbors. That's why the company contributes 4% of its profits to charity. After its founding in 2012, the company polled a large group of local electricity customers to find the four stand-out causes to contribute to: the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Heroes for Children, and Feeding Texas.
Feeding Texas is a network of 21 member food banks that provide over 5 million Texans annually with food and resources. In 2016, 4Change Energy delivered its first contribution check to the North Texas Food Bank. In 2022, the company helped sponsor the Nourish North Texas Telethon hosted by North Texas Food Bank. It's estimated, one in every five children in the North Texas region being food-insecure. The event helped raise funds to provide 2.1 million meals in the region.
Since 2004, Heroes for Children has provided $7 million to over 7000 Texas families in need to help their children battle cancer. 4Change started participating as a booth sponsor for Heroes for Children Heart of Gold 5k and Fun Run in 2016. In 2021, 4Change joined other corporate sponsors at the $10,000 + level to help increase hospital budgets.
When hurricanes and other disasters hit Texans, the the American Red Cross is there to help. As a Ready 365 Giving Circle Member, 4Change Energy supports the Red Cross North Texas Region with about $10,000 per year.
The American Cancer Society is the largest private, nonprofit funder of cancer research in the United States. 4Change Energy is committed to supporting the American Cancer Society to fund innovative cancer research to find a cure. The company has partnered for several years with the American Cancer Society to sponsor fund raising events, including the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event.